Gore-Tex Bargains

“Attention bargain hunters! Cabela's now has Gore-Tex jackets and pants for $99.95 per piece for men and women. Sizes up to 3XL although some of the larger sizes cost a bit more. For those of you interested in the latest Gore-Tex technology, they also have Gore-Tex XCR starting at $189.95 per piece and Gore-Tex PacLite starting at $119.95. Don't recall seeing prices like this for Gore-Tex anywhere else.

I don't work for Cabela's but as a Nebraskan I have to "represent" since they are based here. Happy shopping!

Cabela's Website”

“Thanks”

“Sounds like a deal, OmaHiker. I was recently in Maine on a skiing trip and visited the Freeport TNF outlet. Picked up a green TNF Mountain Light Gore-Tex jacket for just less than $100.”

“There is no such thing as a breathable rain jacket. Gore Tex is a fraud. Just get a water proof fabric jacket with vent openings. They are less expensive and work just as well.”

“Sorry, Lost, but I can't agree with you - at least not for my needs, although a w'proof might be all right for yours. The Mountain Light and (I believe) the Cabela's are 2-ply with a lining and they are not quite as useful as the 3-ply stuff. My buddy's Cabela's G-tex suit that he uses for duck hunting is a 2-ply laminate on a polyester shell - quality is excellent and function is fine. I need and use a technical 3-ply and wouldn't go back to my original, breathable ventile cloth mountain 'Stormpruf' anorak by Black's of Edinburgh (Bonington used to use them). H.T.”

“Gore tex does keep the water out. That is not my point. The fact is it does not let water vapor out like the hype of the companies selling ?semi permeable membrane fabrics? would have you think. I have gore tex from the top of my head to the bottom of my big toe. I know what I speak of here. I am not displease with the performance but with the price of the performance compared to other less ?technical? fabrics. I spent a lot of time outdoors in all kinds of weather before gore tex (that would be B.G.) and was not less comfortable that I am with the stuff.

Here are a few gore tex questions:
If the pores in the membrane are so small that liguid water can not pass through, how do they glue it to fabric without the glue clogging the pores?
Warm air is capable of holding more moisture (by weight) than cool air. If it is warm on the inside of the gore tex and cold outside the vapor will condense when it comes in contact with a surface or air that is below the dew point. What keeps the vapor from condensing on the inside of the goretex or in the pores?
If the air outside is at or near saturation (100% relative humidity), which it usually is if it is raining, how can the outside air absorb more moisture from the inside of the goretex?
Why does a goretex coat need pit zippers?
When wearing goretex on a dry day have you seen water droplets or frost form on the outside of the fabric from moisture in side the fabric?
How does the vapor get through the wet exterior fabric layer?
If the exterior fabric layer is treated with water repellent to keep it from getting wet how does the water get trough the treated fabric and what do you need the goretex for if the exterior fabric is keeping the water out?

I a laboratory I am sure they can force vapor through goretex and keep water from passing through. Not so in the field. If you are more comfortable in goretex it is because of other things you are doing or wearing even if you are not aware those things.

Gore tex is a fraud.”

“My buddy at the music store gave me a complimentary set of banjo strings...wadda guy! I thought he was joking when he said one of the strings was Gore-Tex coated, but sure enough, the package says Gore on it. The manufacturer calls it a "poly-web" coating, though.

Who'd've thunk?”

“So you can do al-weather pickin'!”

“lost in idaho-hmmm... I will have to look into that.

Buddur, do you play the guitar?”

“Yes...but not since ah got ma banjo!”

“Did you know that there is Gore tex dental floss?”

“Who'dathought.”